Drew’s student-athletes exemplify dedication, resilience and a relentless work ethic, both in competition and the classroom. Balancing rigorous academic commitments with the demands of collegiate athletics requires discipline, time management and an unwavering drive to succeed.
This edition of our Ranger Spotlight highlights the achievements of Teeya Desgoutte (‘26), who recently concluded her third and final season on the women’s volleyball team. Pursuing majors in international relations and economics with a minor in European studies, she demonstrates leadership and passion on and off the court.
A standout outside hitter, Desgoutte has made an undeniable impact on her team. Over the past three seasons, she has earned the Sportsmanship Award twice, been recognized as an honorable mention for the Landmark Conference All-Team two years in a row and has been named the Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week twice.
Her statistics further reflect her contributions to the team, with 783 kills, over 500 digs and 12 double-doubles—the latter being the most on her team.
One of her most memorable moments as a Ranger came in 2023 during a match against Moravian University. Playing in enemy territory, the Rangers battled through five grueling sets to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Desgoutte delivered a career-high 27 kills, along with 12 digs and five aces. In the decisive fifth set, Drew trailed 11-6 before rallying, with Desgoutte scoring six of the team’s final seven points to clinch the 17-15 win.
“It was a moment where I truly felt an accumulation of leadership, teamwork and athleticism,” said Desgoutte. “When the last set started to not head in our favor, I remember calling a huddle and telling my team that this is why we play sports and to make it count because these are the moments that you wish for as an athlete.”
Beyond the court, Desgoutte is an active leader in the Drew community. As the co-president of the Racial Justice Committee, she plays a vital role in fostering dialogue, promoting inclusivity and driving meaningful change.
She is also an Action Scholar and a member of Drew’s Zeta Rho Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the prestigious National Political Science Honor Society. Additionally, she has participated in two nycTRECs—the Social Impact and the United Nations nycTRECs.
Her academic experiences have been complemented by hands-on work opportunities. She works in Drew’s Student Accounts Office and with Drew’s Sports Management Team, while also coaching young athletes through CRUSH Volleyball.
In her time at Drew, Desgoutte’s favorite class has been the United Nations nycTREC, where she studied global politics across from the UN. “We were able to gain a much deeper understanding of the international political system and relate it to contemporary topics and events, especially in the midst of the Biden to Trump transition,” said Desgoutte.
Being a collegiate athlete has shaped her academic and personal growth. “I cannot stand to not do anything. I am happier having tasks than to sit and do nothing for the whole day,” said Desgoutte. “I also believe it was tremendously helpful to build skills like communication, grit, leadership, problem-solving and patience.”
After three seasons as a standout athlete, Desgoutte concluded her collegiate volleyball career to focus on furthering her education. Yet, her dedication to excellence remains evident in her academic and leadership pursuits, continuing to embody what it means to be a Ranger.
If you would like to nominate another student-athlete to be featured in future issues, please send their name to theacorn+sports@drew.edu.
Benjamin Castro is a senior double majoring in marketing and business.
